Pile cap



Dec. 11, 1945. w N, SWARTHOUT 2,390,625

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Dec. 11, 945- w. N. SWARTIY-IOUT PILE CAP Filed Jun e 25, 1941 4 SheetsSheet 4 y Nmunm SQ-lrinrnour.

Patented Dec. 11, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PlLE CAP William N. Swarthout, Washington, D. C.

Application June 25, 1941, Serial No. 399,757 (01. 6154) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to methods of and means for treating and protecting wood piling,

Wooden piles, in common with other wooden structures which are embedded in the ground, are, as is generally known, subject to destructive influences of moisture as well as wood infesting insects.

These destructive influences have heretofore been combatted by treatment of the wooden piles by various methods and means before driving same into the ground.

.While woo-den piles will be substantially resistant to these influences if they are uniformly impregnated throughout their masses with relatively large quantities of solution, comprising creosote, coal-tar, etc., nevertheless, methods and means heretofore used did not always assure such uniform and intensive impregnation of the wood throughout the mass thereof as toproperly insulate it against the destructive action of moisture and insects and accordingly a maximum period of usefulness of the piles was not realized.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a method of treating wood piling whereby it will be endowed with maximum moisture and insect resisting properties and its life of usefulness thereby substantially increased.

A further object of the invention is the provision of relatively simple and improved means for pressure impregnation of wood piling with a moisture and insect repelling solution whereby the piling will be uniformly impregnated throughout its mass by a relatively large amount of the solution.

A still further obiect of the invention is the provision of means of the above noted character which is relatively simple in its construction and which is capable of thoroughly impregnating a wooden pile in a relatively short period of time.

Even though wooden piles are thoroughly and uniformly impregnated with a moisture and insect resisting compound, it is highly important that the butt or projecting end of the pile be shielded or protected against penetration of moisture or insects for the reasonthat many cracksand holes present themselves in any transverse section of the wooden pile and these offer advantageous entry of moisture and insects.

This necessity of shielding or protecting the exposed or butt ends of wood piling has of course been heretofore recognized and different methods and means have been resorted to for shielding or protecting such exposed ends.

The method now generally in vogue for shield-' ing or protecting the butt ends of wood piling consists in the provision of metallic caps including a circular base and a cylindrical flange extending from the perimeter of the base. These caps, subsequent to treatment of the butt ends, are placed over such ends with the flanges snugly engaging the outer surfaces of the piles adjacent the ends thereof, whereupon the flanges are secured to the piles as by nails or the like. Furthermore, the caps now in use are ineficient in that moisture is drawn up to the top of the pile by capillary attraction.

These caps are usually constructed of an expensive metal, such as copper, zinc, or lead, or a combination thereof, and while they provide a certain protection to the butt ends, they are nevertheless relatively expensive and the metals used are much needed in the present defense program.

In addition, the use of these expensive metals in pile caps is a temptation to thieves, who, realizing the substantial value of such caps, can-readily appropriate same merely upon withdrawing a few nails or cutting the flange above the line of nails and thereupon lifting the caps off the butt ends.

5 Thus upon consideration of many of the caps being stolen and thereby necessitating their replacement, the expense in the use of such caps is substantially increased.

These metal caps when used on dolphins or other cluster piling are also subject to damage by wind, tide, mooring lines, etc., and the aprons are easily ripped and torn, thus loosening the cap and leaving the piling in an unprotected state.

An important object of this invention is the provision of a method of sealing, shielding, or protecting the butt end of a treated pile by the use of materials which are relatively cheap, have an effective insulating or protecting capacity, and which cannot be removed intact and therefore offer no inducement for the theft thereof.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and aspects of the invention, reference will be had to the following detailed description,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 isran e-levational view showing a wood pile broken away and an improved means for solution impregnating the pile operatively associated therewith.

Figure 2 is a vertical section on line 22 of Figure 1, the pile being shown partially in elevation.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section in a plane substantially as represented by the line 3-3 of Figure 1, the hood-compressing chain being shown in a reversed position for indicating its flexibility in use.

Figure 4 is a. front elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the pile with the hood retainin chain associated therewith and as observed on line 5-5 in Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 1 from the opposite side thereof and showing, more or less diagrammatically, the application of the chain disclosed in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 8 is a view of a portion of a pile showing a modified form of impregnating means in vertical section.

I Figure 9 is a broken perspective view disclosing the application of the improved butt end protecting means.

' Figure 10 is a view of the projecting end of a woodpile. partially in vertical section and illustrating particularly the treatment of the butt end.

Figure 11 is a similar view showing a further step in the method of protecting the butt end.

Figure 12 is a similar View showing a still further step in the method of protecting the butt end.

Figure 13 is a similar view showing the butt end in its final form resulting from the improved method.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and first to Figures 1 to '7, thereof, P designates awood pile to b treated by my improved method and apparatus.

The improved apparatus according to a preferred embodiment thereof comprises a laminated fabric hood H which is illustrated only as being laminated but which in practice preferably in cludes a one-sixteenth inch rubber sleeve which is wrapped with five layers of No. 10- canvas lamihated to the rubber sleeve, each layer or .ply of canvas being treated with rubber cement and wrapped under high tension in order to provide a strong hood which is subjected to high pressure during the impregnating process.

The upper edges of the hood H are pinched together by a pair of steel bars l0 outwardly rounded at their lower edges as indicated in Figure 2, and the bars are drawn into gripping engagement with said edge by-means of bolts H.

A sheet rubber gasket [2 is preferably interposed between the edges.

The hood H is provided with means for admitting a preservative fluid and which preferably includes a nipple l3, sheet rubber gaskets [4, metal plates [5, look nuts l6 and a fluid admitting tube l7- secured to, and communicatingwith the nipple l3.

The tube leads to a suitable pump and is provided with a regulating valve H3. 7

An air pressure tube or conduit l9! communicates with the interior of the hood through the wall at a point opposite that of tube I! and by similar connecting means. A pressure gauge 26 and regulating valve 2| are associated with the air tube [9. V

The bottom of the hood H encircles a rubber collar 22 which in, turn encircles and grips the upper end of the pile P with its upper face flush with the butt end. of the pile. In addition to serving as aseal between the gasket and the pile, the rubber collar is of importance from a commercial, standpoint since it enables the gaskets. to be; made in Standard sizes, the variation required for fitting particular piles being obtained by the use of collars of diiTerent sizes and thickness.

Means are provided for retaining the hood H in operative association with the pile and comprises a chain structure C for radiallycompressing the lower or skirt end of the hood H against the rubber collar 22 and a chain structure C for retaining the hood against vertical movement.

The chain structure C comprises a relatively wide link chain 23 which, as indicated in Figure 3, engages the outer wall of the collar 22 throughout the greater portion of its circumference. The chain terminates in links 24 whose free ends engage within hardened steel blocks. 25 and 26, the

links 24 being pivotally connected to the blocks vtion of its length is engaged by the link chain 23, and the blocks 25 and 26 are provided with outwardly tapering extensions 32 and 33 respectively, the former engaging the hood within the chain 23 and the latter extending between the chain and steel band 3|. Thus by the provision of the band 3| which spans the block 38 and the extensions 32 and 33, substantially uniform pres,- sure contact is obtained throughout the circumference of the base of the hood H.

The block 29 is tapped and threaded and receives the threaded rod 34. The block 30 is in the for-m of a hollow cylinder with one side flat in order to allow the same to lie close to the spring steel band 3i. One end of the rod 34' is swivelly connected with the block. 30 by means of a disk 35 freely rotatable in a. bore 36. in th block. The other end of the rod 34: is provided with a cylindrical head 31 diametricallyof which extends an operating bar 38.

The pi'le P is trimmed and smoothed at the butt end to provide a suitable surface to receive the collar 22. With the bottom of the hood I-I engaged by the chain structure 0 as above described, the rod 34 is turned through the bar 38 resulting in the blocks 29 and 30 approaching each other and drawing the chain 23 together with the band 3|" and extensions 32 and 33 into firm gripping contact with the hood H, thereby frictionally gripping the same and compressing the cellar between the pile and hood which not only seals the interior of the hood but tightly binds the same to the pile.

The wood impregnating'fiui-d; such as creosote or other approved substance, is admitted within the hood through control of the valve l8, which, when a iven volume of the fluid is admitted, is closed. The valve 2|v is then opened to admit substantial air pressure within the hood for foreing the fluid downwardly through the pile 'P, the amount ofv fluid admitted and the air pressure, as well asthe time interval, being suificient to cause the pile to be uniformly impregnated to the lower end thereof. 7

In view of the necessary high, pressure, the

chain structure C is provided to; avoid the possible, vertical displacement of the hood from, the pile.

This chain structurev includes a. chain MI which is engaged with. the ile 1? 2. short distance below the chain, 23 (Fig. 7.). 7 .One end of the chain 4| is pivotally connected at 41 to a block 42' having an arcuate inner wall for conforming engagement with the pile P.

Athreaded rod 43' has screw-threaded engagement within a bore in: the block- 42 andis provided at one end thereof with an angular manipulating head44. The other end of the rod 43 has secured thereto by means of a pin 45 a sleeve 46 and the rod 43, adjacent the sleeve 46, is swivelly supported within a block 41 also having its inner face arcuate for conforming engage ment with the pile P. The sleeve 45 engages the block 41 and causes approach of the blocks 42 and 4? upon rotation of the rod 43.

A hook rod'48 hasone end thereof threaded into the block 31 and the other end thereof provided with a hook 49 for removable engagement with one or another of the links adjacent the other end of the chain 40,

, A pair of chains 55 are provided with terminal hooks 5| for engagement withthe chain 40 at substantially quadrant points and the chains 50 extend over the hood H in the manner indicated in Figure 7 and thereby prevent the hood from being lifted off the pile end by the. air pressure within the hood.

While the chain structure 0 is preferably best suited to a pile of given diameter, the safety chain structure C is well adapted for use with piles of various diameters since the connection of the hook 49 with various links of the chain 40 will accommodate a wide range diameter of piles.

With the construction above described the wood piles are capable of being uniformly impregnated with a suitable preservative throughout their extent and which can be carried out in a relatively short period of time and with a minimum amount of physical effort.

A modified form of pressure treatment of wood piling is illustrated in Figure 8 and consists in the following:

A hole 52 approximately one inch in diameter is drilled diametrically of the pile P adjacent the upper end thereof, or at any desired point or points lengthwise thereof. A steel pipe 53 approximately one-half inch in diameter and provided with numerous wall apertures 54 is inserted in the hole 52 and retained concentrically therein by means of conical nuts 55 threadably engaged with the opposite ends of the pipe and having their adjacent smaller ends in binding contact with the wall of hole 52. A plug 56 is inserted in one end of the pipe and the other end thereof is extended beyond the corresponding nut 55 for receiving a conduit connection with a creosote (or other treating fluid) tank.

With this arrangement, the preservative fluid will be forced through the apertures 54 and caused to penetrate the wood for impregnation thereof.

After the treatment by this means, the pipe is removed and the hole filled with suitable mastic and doweled.

After having treated the wood piling as above v set forth, which treatment may be carried out before or after the driving of the pile, the butt end of the pile is shielded or protected by an improved method forming an essential feature of this invention.

The butt ends are of course treated after the piles have been driven and such treatment is carried out as follows and illustrated in Figures 9 to 13: i

The projecting ends of the piles are first cut and leveled, a flexible rubber collar corresponding to that designated 63 is then placed around the pile to extend approximately one inch above the top thereof. A suitable preservative solvent is then poured into the receptacle provided by the collar and pile top and allowed to stand long enough for the solvent to penetrate three or more feet from the top of the pile, asindicated at S in Figures 9 and 10. The collar is then removed and the top of the pile allowed to dry slightly.

A coat of mastic 58 pyrobituminous base, with toxics added) is then applied over the top of the pile and is preferably pounded with a mechanical beater until a penetration of not less than one thirty-second of an inch is obtained Washers 59 are then laid on the mastic 58 in regularly spaced order, after which a wire mesh disk 56 of substantially the diameter of the pile is laid upon the washers 59. Nails Bl are then driven through top washers 62, mesh disk 60, bottom washers 59, mastic 58 and into the pile, thereby firmly securing the wire mesh disk in position. i

A rubber sheet form 63 is then placed around the pile P with its upper edge not less than one inch above the top. A

A suitable cement sand-aggregate mix 64 is then filled into the form 63 and forced through the wire mesh into close adherence with the mastic 58. The mix is built to slight dome shape as indicated in Figures 9 and 13 and troweled to a smooth hard finished surface.

Suflicient time is then allowed for the mix to set, after which the form 53 is removed and the rough edges smoothed with carborundum or other suitable abrasive.

The mix is then cured by covering the same with burlap or the like and keeping the same wet for not less than seven days after placing. An additional fourteen days should be allowed for curing before removing the covering.

It should be readily appreciated that, by this improved method of treating and capping the butt ends of Wood piling, a shield or protector is provided which not only eliminates the use of expensive metals heretofore employed for capping piles but also provides a highly eficient means for rendering the butt ends of piles both moisture and insect proof. The improved caps as thus provided are durable and are in fact an integral part of the pile body.

Should the cement top 64 by any chance become brokenfthe mastic 58 will still form a permanent unbroken seal against insect infestation and moisture.

Furthermore, this improved cap is relatively inexpensive and has the distinct advantage that it is valueless when removed, in contradistinction to lead, copper, or zinc caps which are frequently stolen.

In addition, these improved caps are smoothly finished and offer no resistance to mooring lines.

It will be seen from the foregoing disclosure that methodsand means for efficiently insulating wood piling against the destructive action of moisture and insects are provided and which satisfactorily overcome many objections to or disadvantages in methods or means heretofore used for this purpose.

While I have disclosed certain specific embodiments of my invention, such are to be considered as illustrative only and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined in the sub-joined claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. A method of protecting the butt-end of a wood pile comprising the following steps: soaking said butt-end with a preservative solvent, sealing the end with plastic material, placing a metallic mesh disk over the plastic material and securing the sam to the butt-end through said plastic material, and thereafter placinga, cap of cement send-a'ggre'gate Y mix over the mesh disk in rigid adherence therewith and in contact with the plastic material;

A method of preserving and prdtectmg the butt end of a weed pile com rising the renewing steps: enclosing the end with a band fer previd ing a, fluid receptacle; m'tmducing a, quantity 0f reservative fluid intc the receptacle and allowing the same to penetrate the wood a si'lbstdfititl (ii-stance from the end, removing the band, caver ing the end with a. 1aye'r at sealin material securing a perforate metallic sheet to the end, nd thereafter forming a cap" of cementsand-aggre gate mix and forcin the material thereof thr ugh the perforations in said sheet into binding Contact with said layer of sealing material.

A methbd Of preserving and prbtectilfig' the butt-end of a. Wood pile comprising the following steps: leveling the butt-end, rmovably attachmg a band to the pile adjacent the butt end with (me edge thereof preje'ctihg above the butt-end, confining a quantity of preservative material withii'i Said bend and in contact with said end mm fafi'o'd sumeient for penetration of the wood a elib'stehtial distance from said end, removing the be'nd, applying e. 'plastic Sealing coat over the thus treated end, 'ipilyitig a metallie mesh disk We? the sealing mat and securing same to the aim; rem'civably attaching a, band to the pile with an deethereof projecting substantially above the mesh disk, ifitrduihg (a; mass 'Of cement-' sand-aggregate mix into contact with the disk with the edge thereef ce'nfined by the band, forciflg the through the mesh disk into intimate 'c'britaet with the sealing coat and slightly claiming the top of the mix mass to provide a cap, there'- aftt removing the band and sahdmg'grega'te mix. 7

WILLIAM N. SWARTHOUT.

Curing the cement- 

